Could Excelsior-Henderson be poised for (another) rebirth?

On December 21, 1999, the Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Company, a revival of a once-storied American brand, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after just two model years of production. Now, as RevZilla reports, a Denver-based investment firm believes the time is right for another attempt at an all-new Excelsior-Henderson, which would go head-to-head for market share against Harley-Davidson and the Polaris-owned Indian Motorcycle.

In 1928, the Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Company, which had acquired the Henderson Motorcycle Company in 1917, was the third-largest producer of motorcycles in the United States behind Indian and Harley-Davidson. Three years later, in September of 1931, company owner Ignaz Schwinn made the decision to halt motorcycle production, opting instead to focus on the company’s bicycle business while the Great Depression lingered on.

It would take until 1993 for Excelsior-Henderson to be reborn, and initially, the revival was known as the Hanlon Manufacturing Company. Led by David, Daniel and Jennie Hanlon, who acquired the rights to the Excelsior and Henderson names, the company sought to challenge Harley-Davidson’s dominance in the large-displacement cruiser market. At the time, Harley-Davidson customers had to endure a multi-year wait for new motorcycles, as demand far out-stripped supply. Producing a similar American-built motorcycle, with a legendary name, powered by a 1,386cc air-cooled V-twin engine, was about as close as one could get to a guaranteed success.

Determined to build a brand and not just a motorcycle, Excelsior-Henderson took its time in designing propriety components that paid homage to Excelsior and Henderson models of the past. The leading link fork, for example, was routed through the fender, and the frame’s downtubes were curved to mirror the shape of the front fender. Even the V-twin engine was a nod to Excelsiors from an earlier time, though the revival incorporated modern features such as fuel injection, four valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts. A state-of-the-art factory, capable of building up to 20,000 bike annually, was constructed in Belle Plain, Minnesota, and in early 1999 the brand began production of its first model, the Super X.

In the six years from concept to execution, the market had changed. Indian was back, then gone, then back again, built in Gilroy, California with engines supplied by S&S. More significantly, Polaris had launched the Victory brand in 1998, giving buyers an alternative American V-twin cruiser backed by a parent with deep pockets. Those wanting “customs” had no shortage of builders to choose from, and even Harley-Davidson ramped up its production to meet customer demand.

Excelsior-Henderson’s Super X was generally well-received by publications of the day, and its distribution network included roughly 140 dealers from coast to coast, but this wasn’t enough to keep the company afloat. Less than a year after production began, Excelsior-Henderson found itself unable to secure the additional funding needed for ongoing operation, prompting its bankruptcy filing.

Which brings us back to 2017. Aaron, Bell International, the Denver investment firm, has been retained to “seek a strategic relationship for the reintroduction of the (Excelsior-Henderson) brand to the marketplace.” The firm cites the closure of Victory by Polaris, along with the “strength of American motorcycle manufacturing and sales worldwide,” as reasons why the time is right for a new Excelsior-Henderson revival. This time, the design and engineering work done by the last revival would be part of the package, meaning that a new Excelsior-Henderson won’t be starting from scratch.

Still, domestic sales of Harley-Davidson models declined by 3.9-percent from 2015 to 2016, and while international sales grew by 2.3-percent, this wasn’t enough to counter the sales drop at home. Overall, sales fell by 1.6-percent, and the brand’s projections for 2017 call for continued flat sales in its largest market. As Revzilla points out, those capable of spending $15,000 or more on a new motorcycle are now shopping in segments other than large-displacement American V-twin cruisers, which is one reason why Harley-Davidson recently announced it will launch 50 new models over the next five years.

If Excelsior-Henderson makes another comeback, it will need patient investors with ample capital and a range of appropriately priced models to succeed. That’s asking a lot in today’s potentially volatile powersports market.

Larry Patchettsays:

February 16, 2017 9:11 am

Re-birth does not seem the right word. Building a new motorcycle and putting a once famous name on it does not really revive the tradition. The motorcycles Polaris makes are NOT really Indians. They carry forward only the name and not the traditions or craftsmanship that made the name mean something when it first became famous.

Howard Arbituresays:

February 16, 2017 9:20 am

I’m sorry, proof positive, those with money don’t see the world like I do. Time is ready for a rebirth? OF ANYTHING? I think we have bigger issues on the horizon. And it looks like every other V-twin, that the market is already saturated with. People are losing interest in conventional looking V-twins. Everybody that wants one, probably already has one. If you want to make money, create a new kind of flavored bagel, or a cell phone accessory, but a new ( same old ) motorcycle? Again, sorry, but to me, compared to what motorcycling used to be, I just don’t see it being successful.

Howard Arbituresays:

February 16, 2017 9:44 am

Genosays:

February 16, 2017 9:31 am

Agreed. It’s not a re-birth. But just because Harley has been making the same motorcycle for decades doesn’t give it any more street cred than a new Indian. H-D has been milking the system and newer, and better, are out there.

SixtiesGuysays:

February 16, 2017 10:25 am

I beg to differ about Harley-Davidson making the same bike for decades (and no, I’m not a dealer and I don’t work for them). Since the ’80’s they’ve been continuously improving their lineup, with new engines, revised supensions and features and better manufacturing. They may look quite similar to the Harleys of 30 or 20 years ago, but they’re much improved. Yes, there may be plastic-covered crotch rockets out there that are faster or smoother or better for racing, but I don’t think anyone will dethrone HD as the maker of classic, big iron V-twin bikes any time soon.

Best of luck to these guys from Colorado, but they have a massively uphill battle.

Howard Arbituresays:

February 16, 2017 12:44 pm

Hi SixtiesGuy, that’s true. The newer HD’s are not your old Panhead ( if it didn’t fire after the 2nd kick,,oh, oh, might be a while) , they are truly nice, refined machines. In all my travels, I rarely saw one broke down. I loved my HD ( ’85 FXRT), but I kind of got that out of my system, and probably won’t want another, of that type. It’s not so much who will dethrone Harley, but more like what will happen when we’re gone, and who will buy these types of bikes.

SixtiesGuysays:

February 17, 2017 1:52 pm

Howard, yes, once we baby boomers are no longer of the age where we can still hop on our V-twins and at least make it around the block, HD will be in serious trouble. They’re trying with their “street” line, but that is likely way short of keeping the company afloat into the future. The future for motorcycles in the US, such as it may be, is in the plastic-fairing, near-horizontal-riding-position, buzzy-exhaust variety. Oh, well.

Stevesays:

February 16, 2017 9:33 am

PLEASE drop that horrible, expensive front end, – THAT would be a start in the right direction. Dealer network will be the clue. I know a dealer with some still in crates, what will happen to them??
It will be hard to dethrone the known champion, even with all their flaws, Harley Davidson still demands respect, wherever, and loved by many of us.
Good luck, glad it’s not my money.

bob sandrucksays:

February 17, 2017 8:35 am

Joesays:

February 17, 2017 12:19 pm

I believe one dealer was Nielsen Ent. in Lake Villa,IL., I just checked his website and he only has one used one. I think they’re are a few left out there in crates selling for around 13K or less, new they were around $18K. I’ve owned two 1999 Excelsior Henderson’s and they were very nice quality bikes and built well I thought. You can still get parts for them and buy them for a relatively low price, and they’re a rare bike, only around 2000 were produced. I only sold mine because I’m getting older and I didn’t ride it much.

Bob Palmasays:

February 16, 2017 9:41 am

That’s an excellent summary of the situation, Kurt.

During the red-hot 1990s Harley-Davidson market, I bought a total of 104 used, late-model Harley-Davidson motorcycles, mostly Sportsters, to be resold through a friend’s non-franchised “Hawg Shop,” such as it was. The building has since been sold and converted to a non-automotive business, and my friend died several years ago.

The 1990s Harley-Davidson market was so strong that I was able to buy three brand-new bikes, paying full retail price, from franchised Harley-Davidson dealers, pay the sales tax and title them in my name, and resell them for a worthwhile profit. My wife and I invested in some Harley-Davidson common stock just for fun, buying 200 shares. We still own it and the current price per share is about nine times times what we paid for it.

But that train started to slow down as soon as Harley-Davidson opened up their second manufacturing facility in Kansas City to supplement the York PA assembly plant. They could finally start catching up with demand and, today, new bikes are readily available for immediate delivery. Dealers will even solicit your business with discounts and good trade-in allowances, unheard of barely 15 years ago.

Your article reflects appropriate caution for anyone thinking of entering the large-displacement motorcycle market right now, much as we might well-wish efforts to permanently restore the fabled Excelsior-Henderson name to the country’s list of motorcycle manufacturers “…patient investors with ample capital….” as you say.

51 Ford Guysays:

February 17, 2017 12:18 am

First, thanks Kurt for another fine article.

Bob, congratulations on a wise money-making plan, buying and selling bikes. Whenever I visited an H-D dealer, their price was their price- buy it or leave. It sounds as if they got the news that they are not the only game in town and folks can and will go elsewhere for a motorcycle.

Having owned both a 1974 and a 2005 Sportster, I can attest to their quality improvements. I loved my ’96 Electra Glide. In 2006 I learned that I was not physically up to riding- vertigo had ruined my balance. They were fun. My granddaughters loved my ‘Glide-equipped sidecar, my antidote to vertigo.

Be sure to enlarge the thumbprint photo in the archives with the article; it shows the block-long display of new 1951 Fords the day they were given away in Shelbyville IN. When researching the article, I wound up in the very showroom of the little downtown Shelbyville Ford dealership from which the cars were delivered. It is now a print shop, but the showroom is virtually untouched from 1951. Pretty cool.

Jeff Kingsays:

February 16, 2017 9:42 am

In my opinion the best way to compete at this point should be to take aim at the luxury end of the market with all the creature comforts of the best Harley and Indian touring bikes such as the Harley CVO models, rather than make “me too” models and try to compete on looks and price.. At this end of the market the production numbers are low and the potential profits can be high. Also, at the upper end of the market, aftermarket customization is less important.

Jacksays:

February 16, 2017 10:12 am

John Cloonansays:

February 16, 2017 11:13 am

Right? I had hopes when Motus entered the market, but then they went pushrod engines and more sport-touring, and they’re too rich for my blood. I have nothing against the EBR bikes – the ones I’ve ridden have been pretty stellar, but their repeated entry and disappearance from the market make me wary of buying something that won’t be supported long term.

76Impalasays:

February 16, 2017 10:36 am

I don’t think the market is there.

The new Indian is I believe is different, IMO. It’s an actual ground up design that does not borrow or modify another manufacturers components . They have their own Indian engine that is not a modified anything else, their own ‘look’, parts. I’ve seen a few close up and I can see why there is a bit of a buzz going on for the new Indian. It does look different and to me has a well executed traditional Indian motorcycle ‘look’ and ties up well with their old (1920’s/30’s) period motorcycles…albeit with all the mod cons. It will do well….because it very quickly has established a very strong brand presence, distinct from the HD V Twin cruiser type.

The HD is a Harley. You either like them or you don’t and I just don’t see very many younger riders astride Harleys . Case in point. My son is in his 20’s, recently traded his Yamaha sports bike in on a new BMW GS motorcycle. His buddies…similar age…20’s to 30’s…. have bikes that range from Italian (Ducati), Austrian (KTM), German (BMW) or Japanese…Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki. In talking to them they have little interest in a Harley.

I just don’t see a market for another Harley type V Twin type cruiser. The guys riding Harley twins I see, mostly range from late 40’s to early 80’s. As the article says, HD sales have been flat as of late, in fact going down a bit on the domestic market and HD is trying to get back market share by introducing a number of new models over the next few years.

Now I’m not a marketing guy, so what do I know (very little)…. but …..

John Cloonansays:

February 16, 2017 11:17 am

I am a marketing guy, and I agree with what you said. I’m also in my 40s, and wouldn’t be caught dead on a big V-twin cruiser. That’s my dad’s bike.

I found it interesting that they point to Victory leaving the market as a sign that it’s a good time for another entry in that space. I think it’s arguable you could read that as a sign that it’s a bad time to enter the market with another bike of that type. A big company like Polaris decided they couldn’t support two brands with that same type of motorcycle. Why do the E-H investors think they’re different?

Sal Pugliesesays:

February 16, 2017 10:44 am

John Ellissays:

February 16, 2017 11:02 am

Successfully launching (or re-launching) a storied motorcycle brand is fairly simple…build a drop-dead gorgeous product, with cast iron reliability, and sell it for about 25-30% LESS than the competition (if you can’t get those first two, then 50% cheaper might help. People are more willing to forgive ugly and unreliable, if they got it for a steal.) Oh, and have a well stocked dealer on every corner. That helps too.

Even then, it will be a long haul and you’ll need more than your fair share of good luck. So, here’s wishing Aron Bell and his partners some of that luck…cause they’re going to have to do it without my money.

stl Ricksays:

February 16, 2017 11:11 am

The V Twin market is driven by nostalgia. Polaris created a great motorcycle with the Victory (I’m biased since I own one). After the Indian line was produced, most of the people that came through the door wanted to talk Indian. If a company as large as Polaris “dropped” the established Victory line, what chance does a start up have selling a Henderson? Harley owners are lucky that Victory – now Indian – offers an alternative because it will force Harley to create better bikes. The Rushmore initiative is a perfect example. Harleys are better bikes now because they have to be.

wazmohsays:

February 16, 2017 11:20 am

The article conveniently overlooks the mismanagement that caused the venture capital to be withdrawn from the last attempt at revival. Marketing seems to be key here. Polaris has stopped selling motorcycles called Victories in favor of selling motorcycles called Indians. Would Henderson have the same name recognition? Can a shrinking market accommodate another premium player?

Anthony Richsays:

February 16, 2017 11:28 am

Rebirth, What happen the Hansen Brothers spend their million dollars already. No Chance for a rebirth when two con men, put out phony stock reports that their company is healthy when in fact, it was sinking faster than the titanic.
If they do reopen, I may stop by to use the bathroom.

Joesays:

February 17, 2017 12:27 pm

ptsloc8trsays:

February 16, 2017 11:44 am

With all the prices being seen at recent auctions, you would think that someone who could build an Excelsior-Henderson that actually looked and rode like an original Excelsior-Henderson could sell more bikes than someone who just bought the name and trademark rights and slapped them on a new design. The technology is here to reversed-engineer or build from scratch (see blog about “Harley and the Davidsons” bikes built from scratch in South Africa) many of the brands from before WWII. Most collectors/old school owners don’t care how fast they go or fuel injection, electronics, etc. and would be perfectly happy toodling around at 55 (or less) on a vintage (or close facsimile ) bike. Who needs 110 hp and 200 lbs./ft. or torque when they are touring the Blue Ridge Parkway or Natchez Trace? I would give up high-performance in favor of nostalgic looks and functionality. Board track racing could be back within the next decade and The Race of Gentlemen has instilled new interest in beach racing for the fun of it. Imagine a division in the Isle of Man TT that allows these kind of vintage-appearing bikes to compete head-to-head (black and white photography only allowed)

RobbieAGsays:

February 16, 2017 12:25 pm

I think it will be tough for a revived Excelsior-Henderson to make a go of it. Outside of vintage bike collectors, not many people have even heard of them. They’ve been out of production too long. Even fewer people heard about the attempt to revive it in the 90s. I know I didn’t until reading this article. The market for large V-Twin cruisers is way too competitive already with H-D, Indian, and all the metric cruisers. There’s not much room for innovation in that space and not enough tradition to build on.

joseph martinsays:

February 16, 2017 12:27 pm

My dad bought a first year “Superx” 45 c.i. back in 1926 after owning an 61 c.i. previously. He lived in Chicago and visited the Schwinn Company Factory with the race/test track on the roof. So with his love of the Excelsior brand, he wanted to invest in the new hanlon model in 1997, he bought $7000 worth of stock, two years later then went bankrupt and he didn’t get a penny of his investment, lost the whole thing! This leaves a sour ‘taste’ in the mouth of all former investors who were ‘burned’ by Hanlon’s mismanagement. I’d hate to see another ‘sure to fail’ venture in the motorcycle industry.

Jason Herringsays:

February 16, 2017 12:29 pm

And…Excelsior/Henderson would have to spend a LOT of money in advertising, trying to “explain” the history of the name. Mention ‘Excelsior’ to most folks, and the top two replies will be swords…and Marvel Comics’ Stan Lee…

John C. Kovalosays:

February 16, 2017 1:43 pm

I love that leading link front end [when you brake, the front end RISES instead of dives]. It, plus the wires and some details gives it a unique, retro look but OH! that engine screams Victory-rip-off – it needs more of a steampunk touch to avoid looking like someone stuck two cocktail shakers in there.
Looks aside, I’d have to agree we need yet another Big Iron V-twin like we need another strip mall. I can watch two hundred Harleys parade by our driveway and not see two of them that are exactly alike; so accessorized are they. The irony is that from a distance they all sound about the same and I’m sure they all shake about the same sitting on them. Even adding in the Nuevo Indians tho, I think the days of the multiplicity of big V-twins is probably over, especially counting certain Asian models that have tried to horn in, so what chance would an upstart like Henderson/Excelsior, a now-forgotten brand, have in today’s market, even if it DOES seem to be a bit more unique than a customized Harley?
Perhaps the only shot it would have would be to go WAY over the top in the aforementioned steampunk department, and custom-build a limited number, especially concentrating on the Japanese penchant for such things.

Frank DiSalvosays:

February 17, 2017 8:43 am

I had a 1999 Henderson, and went through the modifications needed to keep it on the road back then. There were transmission issues, oil pump issues, Battery box, key switch, etc. The braking as mentioned was great. The biggest problem was lack of factory trained mechanics and dealerships. Just like the new Indians, 140 dealers across the US don’t cut it. If you are traveling cross country, you would be hard pressed to not find a harley dealer every 100 miles! Compare that to a few dealers per state and the confidence and security level takes a dive. Indian owners thought they could get their bikes serviced at any Victory dealership, but that is not the case. I sold my Henderson at a loss when I started to have electronics issues and no one in the state of Pa. who could fix it. Good luck!

jacsays:

February 16, 2017 2:43 pm

” If a company as large as Polaris “dropped” the established Victory line, what chance does a start up have selling a Henderson?” Nothing to ad to stl Rick !
The heavy V twin market have more offer than buyers…like the prestigious 4 cylinders one before WW2.
A factory must make some profit.

kbmwrssays:

February 16, 2017 3:02 pm

DEEP pockets will be the key. It takes some time to get established. Ask Polaris.
And….I think the demographics for this type of bike are shrinking….or rather dying. HD and Indian will have the market surrounded with their models so new bike on the block will require to hang in there for a while to get established.

Fred Howellsays:

February 16, 2017 4:30 pm

I agree regarding the need for deep pockets, but I disagree with the comments which seem to believe that today’s bikes by Harley or Indian are not modern technology and superior workmanship. Twenty years ago, you had a point. Not today. Today’s motorcycles of all types, and almost all brands, are refined evolutionary designs built with precision tooling unthinkable just a few years ago. It’s a tough market which has morphed today’s motorcycles into technological diamonds.

jacsays:

February 16, 2017 4:37 pm

Howard, you are maybe right with the 4 cylinders ( linear power, good balance, silent etc)..but a motorcycle is not
something rational. The V twin engine was used both side of the Atlantic only because it was easy to modified a single
in a twin, and that it was enough narrow to pass the pedals both sides on the pre 1914 motorcycle.
A V twin with his irregular noise and horrible balance shouldn’t exist now…but they still are here to do not sound like”normal” engine! I love my flat-twin for their torque, my Velocette singles for the handling, the BM K75 for her
motorway ability, my 1916 Harley …for her brutal power(without brakes!). I build and repair
my bikes coming mostly from wrecks, nearly without budget. A 4 cylinders need 3 times more times(and money) to repair and maintain than a single!
I’m an all season (all around Europa) rider, my more recent bike is from 1991 the oldest from1912.

Matt Schultzsays:

February 16, 2017 10:48 pm

After doing a little research, the company mentioned (Aaron Bell International) sounds like a middleman that finds companies that wish to invest in strategic partnerships. Remember a few months back when Mahindra bought BSA and announced plans to reintroduce the brand. Mahindra also said they were looking for an American motorcycle brand to possibly acquire. Could be something in the works. Mahindra has deep pockets and could see a project of this magnitude through. By the way I own an Excelsior Henderson and love the bike.

bob sandrucksays:

March 3, 2017 8:57 am

Me too !!! I also invested alot of money …but hell, I bought a few …love the heck out of them… I now restore them. Just alittle history …the engineers of the excelsior engine left early after the news they got …that’s why the victory engine looks similar …read up on the story !!! It took alot of balls to go against the industry and produced 1960 units world wide…
gotta give them credit where it is due…Oh by the way …the so called harley tear drop tank you all talk about…read up …it was designed by Excelsior Henderson back when schwinn owned it …just my two cents I do hope they come back!!!

Lee Housesays:

February 17, 2017 1:04 am

The word “steampunk” as used by John Kovalo needs explanation or definition, and I acknowledge that I have seen it several times previously. In previous comments I have expressed frustration with the commonality of the in-line V-Twin motorcycle. It is more fun to imagine a variety of engine configurations. It is also more fun to lean about all the different motorcycle brands and models from Europe and

Dennissays:

February 17, 2017 9:53 am

Dalesays:

February 17, 2017 12:55 pm

I currently own a 2000 E-H Super-X and three Harleys. The E-H is the best bike by far. It’s not without its quirks but it rides, looks, and sounds perfect. I would love to see them come back and I agree that an inline four would be the way to stand out in the cruiser market.

bob sandrucksays:

February 18, 2017 9:22 am

thanks Dale…not many of these harley guys know the history of EH…it was truly a bike before its time..kind of like the Tucker car story back in the 50’s ,when the big three knocked them out of buisness…this time the main culprit was harley…
everyone should read the ” Riding The American Dream ” book by Hanlon…It takes alot of balls to go up against the so called big guys…he did it and produced a fine machine, way better than harley and victory…. I hope the ” Big Three ” would be back in America again…like it was back then… its just that harley finally got rid of their oil leak problem awhile ago, EH never had the chance of getting their querks out…. just my two cents

Bill Crispsays:

February 19, 2017 3:10 pm

Again with the Harley bashing. I can’t figure it out. Why do owners of other brands like to crack on Harley so much? HD is an all-American success story. Survived 114 continuous years. Made bikes that helped win two world wars. I remember reading the magazine articles back in the 70’s trashing the ‘antiquated V-twin’ engine layout. Pretty ironic now. I’ve owned Bultaco, BSA, Honda, Kawasaki, Montessa, Suzuki, Triumph, and, yes, Harley. Loved ’em all. I hope Excelsior Henderson builds a world beater. And I hope BSA comes back, too. Can’t we all just get along?

willsays:

February 24, 2017 6:52 pm

If for one minute you all think Excelsior henderson is going to make a return your all crazy after the last go round with the investors I really doubt there’s going to be any investors that would want to take that chance agin. For one they would have to have a new engine design along with a new transmission design and we all know that alone takes time and alot of money and then they need a building agin more money now I could go on and on so bottom line it will never happen.

Bohanmansays:

March 4, 2017 7:57 am

As the old saying goes, it’s the thought that counts… I love the way the “modern” Excelsior Henderson (EH) gas tank wraps around the top right side of the engine’s valve covers, but when the bikes came out in the late 90s, the MSRP was beyond my means, so no EH for me. The same goes for the list price of the Buells before they bit the dust. I suspect some may find this odd, but I have only owned and then sold one HD Sportster, and that was for about a year. I like unique motorcycles, and will continue to buy and ride those that do not look alike nor what everyone else has. This may demonstrate my lack of common sense, but I own one 1999 and two 2000 “modern” EHs. I also own a Buell XB12STT. All three fairly low mileage and fully updated EHs cost me a little more than one new one back in the day, and then I bought the new Buell at a fire sale price. I do like the uniqueness of the bikes, but what I have in my collage are really nice riding and running motorcycles. They do not look like a cookie cutter motorcycle, and no I am knocking those who do ride similar looking bikes. I do own and love the plastic wrapped and common varieties. I would love to own a Motus, or similar oddity, but what all would I need to sell to collect the cash to buy one. Again, not really within my means. I know EH’s co-founder, Dan Hanlon, personally. He is a really nice guy and continues to support the EH community. Some consequences to our decisions are irreversible, and when playing in the big game of manufacturing, it might only take one ill advised decision to break (or brake) you. That is unless you have really deep pockets. I would like to see EH resurrected, but it would take a lot of lust for me to spend some serious coin to buy a new V-twin. Although, I am now thinking about buying a fire sale Victory…

John Cenasays:

March 11, 2017 5:48 pm

Ronsays:

March 31, 2017 8:28 pm

A lot of people will never buy a Polaris product again strictly because Victory was a great m/c and they pulled the plug. Some don’t care for Indian and a number of people are sick of HD., but want a bike made in the USA.

Philip Aievolisays:

April 18, 2017 9:02 pm

I have owned several bikes since I was 17 Y.O. now I am 62. I have a 1985 Moto Guzzi Cal 11( that’s 2 not eleven) I bought it more than 20 years ago with 4k miles, and it just turned 4,500 miles, which is because I haven’t used it for 15 years! I retired from N.Y. moved to Fl. cleaned it up, and tuned it up and started riding it again. It’s a great bike, 950 cc, 5 speed, shaft drive, integral braking system, comfortable to ride, and has a nice beefy sound. I had a 1957 Bella Motor Scooter 150cc, a 1969 BSA 441 Victor Special, a 1973 HD Leggero 65cc made in Italy, (that’s right, a HD made in Italy by Aermacchi HD), a 1966 White 250cc’s, and a 1965 black 305 cc Honda Dream.

Philip Aievolisays:

April 18, 2017 9:09 pm

Getting back on track to E-H. I just took out the Newspaper article from the 1990’s about the Hanlons selling IPO stock for their new E-H bikes with a photo of their prototypes E-H Super X bikes. When I saw that, I asked for my mother’s advice, because she had been dealing with stocks since the 50’s. She told me not to do it, and I took her advice, if I hadn’t, obviously I would have lost my shirt.

Rich Orthsays:

May 9, 2017 9:00 am

Interesting opinions….

A few comments, first the EH is a reasonable bike but it did not have much development time. Most of the issues are minor in nature except the one no one has mentioned. The EH team forgot about engine cooling. I got one, run two oil coolers in series, and it just then runs normal oil temps in the 220 F range. There are not any fins, no way for air to cool the head except on the left, and no oil cooling passage in the head like Vic, and new M8 from HD. If the HD of the 70’s is the Milwaukee vibrator, this EH is the Minnesota Jackhammer. Another major flaw was the rubber mount system coupled with a balance factor on the engine which results on excess longitudinal vibration which the belt transfers to the rear wheel bearings and knocks them out. EH riders have to run the belt sloppy loose. Its transmission and clutch are far far superior to Victory & yes I own a 2005 Victory.

And to the comment about Indians engine being clean sheet, do some homework & recongnize the base architecture for the 3 cam layout, head design was borrowed from the S&S X-wedge emissions complient chopper market engine.

And to the comment that Excelsior coined the teardrop tank, that’s true but they only accomplished that AFTER they hired a stylist from HD in 1927 or 1928.

Its hard to beat the refinement and millions of dollars dumped by HD in their newer chassis. I ride for transportation having put over 250k miles on various bikes mainly since 2002 on mostly HD’s starting with a 79 Shovel, currently on a newer roadglide also having picked up a 05 Vic touring cruiser last year. The Vic engine is great but the transmission not so much.

Timsays:

May 14, 2017 10:56 am

I own a Super X, and work on more of them. A few specific committed people have made great improvements to the factory rollout and as a result the bike is ” pleasurable” to ride and relatively reliable. I’ve seen most bikes still at factory settings even though they are 17 years old which makes riding them uncomfortable. I’m not sure if I love the front fender, but it’s different, and different offers it’s own reward, (HD has that figured out). I think the market can bare options of big twin machines, and it certainly should welcome the efforts of those who dream big. Good luck to you who dream big, keep N open mind and ignore the naysayers, but please cut down on the red thread locker

Blue Maxsays:

June 16, 2017 11:27 pm

16 years and still going strong. 24k miles without a problem. The only modification or upgrades were a better ECM tune, an oil cooler and new properly sized bushings in the tranny (one of the first X-Man upgraded trannys installed by Atlantic E-H back in the Winter of 2002). Starts and runs like new. Paint still looks great. Only a little pitting of the chrome marks the passage of time. Still commands attention where ever I go. Still gets the questions and the looks. The only thing I’m wishing for is that someone has found a solution for these noisy valves. I beginning to think that Max has earned the Stage III treatment. I might have to call the guys in Virginia this Fall.

Darrel Rezachsays:

December 2, 2017 9:15 pm

Well rebirth would be a good idea. Myself have purchased one in 2000 and never took ownership dealer got greedy and jacked price up . Which led to purchase a victory motor cycle and then another still do ride them even tho Polaris stiffed it’s own brand .The India!n they resurrected is a very nice bike to ride on every level .Would love to see the excelsior Henderson back on track so all Harley riders as well as all brands can see another American bike hit the streets with pride so build it again and I will purchase one.